Ambassador: Thank you, Iraq War veterans

11:43 AM,
Nov. 11, 2013

In photo from Oct. 18, relatives of a man killed in a car bomb attack grieve over his coffin during the funeral in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, Iraq. The United Nations says that 979 Iraqis died in attacks in October, a monthly death toll that is exactly the same as the figure for September.

Written by

Lukman Faily

My first trip to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery was on a rainy Friday afternoon, soon after my arrival in Washington.

As the newly appointed ambassador to the United States from Iraq, it was important for me to honor the brave American men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion so that the people I represent may live to be free.

Standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and gazing over the rolling hills of Arlington, I was struck by the depth of the sacrifices borne by the United States to defeat tyranny, support the oppressed and build democratic ...